Tennessee Football made the cut for a local prospect on Friday. Alcoa tight end Eli Owens included the Vols among his top schools.
The four-star released his top nine schools which included USF, Alabama, North Carolina, Ohio State, Virginia Tech, Cincinatti and Michigan along with the Vols.
The 6-foot-2, 243-pound prospect out of Alcoa High School is the No. 11 player in the state for the Class of 2025, according to 247Sports Composite. He is also the No. 17 tight end and the No. 323 prospect nationally.
Tennessee Football extended Owens an offer in April on 2022. Since then, he has visited Tennessee five times. Owens most recently took a trip to Ohio State. He also plans to visit Michigan soon.
Ohio State extended him a scholarship offer in March, along with Wisconsin and Alabama in the spring.
On his most recent visit, Owen spoke highly of the Buckeyes and how they utilized the tight ends.
“I thought overall it was a good visit,” Owens told Eleven Warriors. “Getting to see what the fan environment would be like was really important. I already know all the coaches and know what the coaches want from me, so it’s not like you go in there expecting more from them with them already having done all they can do. Getting to see what the fans would do, how they interact and stay in the game, is really cool.”
The Vols will battle with several perennial programs to keep Owen in-state. He has already racked up over 300 yards receiving and has played a big role on the defensive side of the ball for Alcoa. The Tornadoes are looking for their ninth-straight TSSAA State Championship this season.
Tennessee’s current 2025 class is made up of three Georgia prospects. Sharmar Arnoux and Dylan Lewis out of Milton High Schools and Justin Baker out of Buford High School.
